RT Journal
A1 Gallo M, Sarkar M, Au W, et al
T1 Pregnancy outcome following gestational exposure to echinacea: A prospective controlled study
JF Archives of Internal Medicine
JO Archives of Internal Medicine
YR 2000
FD November 13
VO 160
IS 20
SP 3141
OP 3143
DO 10.1001/archinte.160.20.3141
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archinte.160.20.3141
AB Background
Echinacea products are among the most popular phytomedicines on the North American market. Since at least half of all pregnancies are unplanned, many women inadvertently use echinacea in their first trimester. Presently, there is a paucity of information regarding the gestational safety of this herb. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the safety of echinacea in pregnancy when used for upper respiratory tract ailments.Patients and Methods
The study group consisted of women who were prospectively followed up after contacting the Motherisk Program regarding the gestational use of echinacea. This cohort was disease-matched to women exposed to nonteratogenic agents by maternal age, alcohol, and cigarette use. Rates of major and minor malformations between the groups were compared.Results
A total of 206 women were enrolled in the study group after using echinacea products during pregnancy; 112 women used the herb in the first trimester. There were a total of 195 live births, including 3 sets of twins, 13 spontaneous abortions, and 1 therapeutic abortion. Six major malformations were reported, including 1 chromosomal abnormality, and 4 of these malformations occurred with echinacea exposure in the first trimester. In the control group, there were 206 women with 198 live births, 7 spontaneous abortions, and 1 therapeutic abortion. Seven major malformations were reported. There were no statistical differences between the study and control groups for any of the end points analyzed.Conclusions
This first prospective study suggests that gestational use of echinacea during organogenesis is not associated with an increased risk for major malformations.